Thomasson: "To continue to push for full-blown 'gay marriage' licenses is unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic."

Contact: Campaign for Children and Families, 530-405-4095 x 2, media@aabizhelp.com

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 1 /Standard Newswire/ -- A San Francisco assemblyman is bringing back his "gender-neutral marriage" bill in an attempt to create homosexual "marriages" in California. On December 4, when the California State Assembly convenes for a one-day organizational meeting, gay activist Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) will reintroduce his bill, which is sure to become California's biggest legislative battle of 2007.

"As Californians prepare to celebrate Christmas, the Democrats have declared war upon marriage between a man and a woman," said Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families (CCF), a leading California-based pro-family organization that led the statewide battle to protect marriage in 2004 and 2005.

"To continue to push for full-blown 'gay marriage' licenses is unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic," Thomasson said. "The California Constitution specifically prohibits the Legislature from repealing voter-approved initiatives. This bill should be vetoed by Arnold Schwarzenegger on the same grounds as he vetoed it last year – because the people have already voted to keep marriage between a man and a woman, just as God created it."

"This 'gender-neutral marriage' bill is a blatant attack on voter rights and marriage rights," Thomasson said. "But with the support of concerned Californians and Americans, Campaign for Children and Families will be eternally vigilant in this fight, and we're fighting to win." This week, CCF mailed and faxed commitment forms to every California state legislator, asking them to protect marriage for a man and a woman by opposing Leno's bill. In addition, CCF is already doing TV and newspaper interviews.

The California Constitution, Article II, Section 10(c) prohibits the Legislature from passing laws that repeal voter-approved initiative statutes. In 2000, 61.4 percent of California voters supported Proposition 22, which read, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." In September 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed Leno's "gender-neutral marriage" bill after it passed the Democrat-controlled Assembly and Senate.

Because Californians cannot depend on politicians or judges to protect marriage, the VoteYesMarriage.com coalition is working to place a constitutional amendment on the California ballot to permanently protect marriage for one man and one woman.

CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (CCF) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing children and families in California and America.